MLB scores, highlights: Wright returns, powers Mets in record-breaking slugfest

Joe Rodgers

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MLB scores, highlights: Wright returns, powers Mets in record-breaking slugfest image

Each night we'll provide you with the nine top story lines from the day's action, beginning with the stars of the day, and look ahead to the next day's matchups.

Down (with help from the umpires). But never out.

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The Mets overcame Jacob deGrom's worst outing of the season (six earned runs in 2 2/3 innings) in a big way Monday, posting a franchise-record eight home runs and 15 extra-base hits in a 16-7 comeback win over the Phillies. The rally was started by David Wright, who went deep on his first swing after missing 133 days with leg and back problems. 

Every starting Mets position player hit a homer except for Ruben Tejada, who finished 0 for 5. The display of power is nothing new for the Mets since the All-Star break, who lead MLB in runs scored over that span. The club has scored at least 14 runs in three of its past four games, and its lead over the Nationals in the NL East is up to 5 1/2 games.

The game got off to an ugly start for the Mets. The umpires lost track of the count and blew a call with Phillies leadoff hitter Cesar Hernandez at the plate. Philadelphia took advantage, posting three runs in the first inning en route to a 7-2 lead that quickly crumbled. 

That other club in New York — the Yankees; heard of them? — won in dramatic fashion, albeit with 15 fewer runs. Carlos Beltran hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth to score Brett Gardner and give the Bombers a 1-0 win over the Astros. The win moves the Yankees into a tie with the Blue Jays atop the AL East. 

Here are more highlights from Monday's games:

Impact players

C — Travis d'Arnaud, Mets: Finishing a triple shy of the cycle, d'Arnaud went 3 for 5 with three RBIs. 

1B — Jose Abreu, White Sox: Blasting a homer in consecutive games, Abreu was 2 for 4 with a solo homer and two runs scored. 

2B — Wilmer Flores, Mets: Flores connected on two long balls and a double and drove in five runs for the Mets, who totaled 20 hits on the night. 

SS — Eugenio Suarez, Reds: Suarez started the Reds' 10-run sixth inning against the Tigers with a solo shot. He finished 3 for 5 with three RBIs. 

3B — Kris Bryant, Cubs: The rookie hit a walkoff home run with two outs in the ninth to move the Cubs 6 1/2 games ahead of the Giants for the NL's second wild-card spot. The 2-1 win over the Indians was Chicago's 20th in its past 24 games. 

OF — Rusney Castillo, Red Sox: Driving in all five of Boston's runs, Castillo fell a triple shy of the cycle in a 3-for-4 performance. 

DH — Franklin Gutierrez, Mariners: Gutierrez hit a three-run homer for his only hit of the night. 

SP — Nathan Eovaldi, Yankees: Eovaldi got a tough-luck no decision against the Astros after throwing eight shutout innings, allowing just four hits and striking out seven. 

Key injuries

Yankees manager Joe Girardi said it is possible that left-hander CC Sabathia (knee) could be done for the season.

Nationals outfielder Denard Span (back) will be activated from the disabled list Tuesday. He was 7 for 17 with a homer, three walks and three runs scored in six rehab games with Single-A Potomac. 

The Athletics placed starting pitcher Kendall Graveman on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain. He was 6-9 with a 4.05 ERA in 21 outings. 

Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said he expects first baseman Matt Adams (quad) back "Sept. 1-ish." Adams has been out since late May as he recovers from surgery to repair a Grade 3 quad strain.

Mets first baseman Lucas Duda (back) is expected to be activated from the disabled list when eligible Sept. 6.

Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez (knee) exited against the Braves and is listed as day to day.

Web gems

Surprise performers

Good: Pirates outfielder Gregory Polanco went 4 for 5 with two doubles, a stolen base and an RBI. He is batting .366 in August. 

Bad: For the fourth time in eight second-half starts, Orioles pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez allowed six or more runs. This time it was to the Royals, who scored six in the sixth inning alone. 

Facts of the day

With 11 strikeouts against the Cubs, Indians starter Corey Kluber recorded his 19th double-digit strikeout game since the start of the 2014 season. Only White Sox ace Chris Sale has more (20) over the past two seasons.

Bryant is the first Cubs rookie with multiple walkoff homers in a season since Gabby Hartnett in 1923.

Beltran became the sixth player to play in 1,000 games in each league. He joined Bob Boone, Vladimir Guerrero, Fred McGriff, Frank Robinson and Dave Winfield. 

Monday marked the 1,000th career game for Pirates All-Star Andrew McCutchen. Since making his major league debut on June 4, 2009, the Pirates' star center fielder ranks first in the NL in hits, runs, doubles and extra-base hits.

Off the field

Outfielder Drew Stubbs, who was released by the Rockies last week, signed a minor league contract with the Rangers. The right-handed hitting Stubbs has struggled this season, but he owns a solid career slash line against left-handed pitching (.278/.352/.459). 

The Athletics named former Rangers manager Ron Washington their third base coach for remainder of season. Washington replaces Mike Gallego, who was fired.

Mariners center fielder Austin Jackson has cleared revocable waivers and "has been the subject of trade talks recently," Fox Sports' Jon Morosi reported. 

Reactions

"This team seems like it's on a mission," Wright told reporters after the Mets' win, "and I'm glad to be a part of it."

Scores

American League

Yankees 1, Astros 0
Royals 8, Orioles 3
Red Sox 5, White Sox 4
Athletics 11, Mariners 5

National League

Mets 16, Phillies 7
Pirates 5, Marlins 2
Braves 5, Rockies 3
Cardinals 5, Diamondbacks 3

Interleague

Cubs 2, Indians 1
Reds 12, Tigers 5

A look ahead

The three best games Tuesday (all times Eastern):

Angels (63-61) at Tigers (59-65), 7:08 p.m.: Tigers starter Alfredo Simon (11-7, 4.52 ERA) will take the mound for the first time since his complete-game one-hitter. His teammates will try to slow down Angels starter Jered Weaver (5-9, 4.34 ERA), who has a 2.08 ERA in 17 1/3 innings since returning from the disabled list. LA needs a solid outing from Weaver; it has lost four in a row and trails the Rangers by 1 1/2 games in the race for the AL's second wild-card berth. 

Twins (63-61) at Rays (62-62), 7:10 p.m.: Just one game separates these AL wild-card contenders. Ervin Santana (2-4, 5.53 ERA) will take the hill for the Twins, while Rays right-hander Nathan Karns (7-5, 3.44 ERA) will toe the rubber looking for his fourth win in a row. Santana, who has a career 4.98 ERA against the Rays, will have to be careful against Tampa Bay outfielder/DH John Jaso, who has a .381 average with a double and a home run in 21 career at-bats against Santana. 

Cubs (72-51) at Giants (66-58), 10:15 p.m.: Chicago right-hander Jake Arrieta (15-6, 2.30 ERA) will be vying for his 13th consecutive quality start (three earned runs or fewer over six or more innings). He'll take the mound in the opener of what is an important three-game series for the Giants, who sit 6 1/2 games behind the Cubs for the second NL wild card. Matt Cain (2-3, 5.66 ERA) will toe the rubber for the defending World Series champions. He'll look to continue his success against the Cubs at AT&T Park. He is 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA in his last six home starts vs. Chicago.

Joe Rodgers